Autism in the brain, region by region

Recent articles

four brain areas marked with flags: Cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, cerebellum
Spectrum Microphone

Brain structure changes in autism, explained

Autistic people have distinct patterns of brain development, which sometimes result in differences in brain structure. Here's what we know about those differences.

By Angie Voyles Askham
15 October 2020 | 6 min read
Illustration showing the human brain made out of flower shapes with the brainstem labeled.

Brain’s center of automatic body functions has autism links

The brainstem controls such disparate functions as breathing, sensation and sleep — all of which can be altered in autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
20 August 2020 | 8 min read
An illustration of the brain shows the amydala highlighted in green among botanical forms that look like neurons.
Spectrum Microphone

Amygdala, the brain’s threat detector, has broad roles in autism

The amygdala has long been a focus of autism research. But its exact role in the condition has been unclear.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
14 July 2020 | 8 min read
By clicking to watch this video, you agree to our privacy policy.

How the cerebellum is linked to autism

In this video, professors Sam Wang and Peter Tsai explain the role of the ‘little brain’ in cognition, social skills, emotion control and repetitive behaviors.

By Chelsey B. Coombs
22 June 2020 | 4 min watch
Illustration showing the human brain with neurons made out of flower shapes and the cerebellum highlighted in gold and yellow.

Brain’s motor hub plays unsung role in social skills, cognition

Long known as the director of movement, the cerebellum may also coordinate social and cognitive abilities, including those central to autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
9 March 2020 | 7 min read
brain form in the shape of white flowers on black background with the striatum in red
Spectrum Microphone

Striatum, the brain’s reward hub, may drive core autism traits

Associated primarily with its role in movement, the striatum may also influence the social difficulties of autistic people.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
17 February 2020 | 5 min read
By clicking to watch this video, you agree to our privacy policy.

Brain’s prefrontal cortex conducts symphony of social players

A brain region that orchestrates responses to social cues and aids decision-making may be off tempo in autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
20 February 2019 | 1 min watch
By clicking to watch this video, you agree to our privacy policy.

Brain’s bridge could yield clues to faulty wiring in autism

Decoding distortions in the brain’s largest nerve tract could lay bare basic problems with long-range neural connections in autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
27 February 2017 | 1 min watch
By clicking to watch this video, you agree to our privacy policy.

Memory hub could underlie social, cognitive quirks of autism

The brain's memory center, the hippocampus, may provide clues to features of autism as disparate as personal relationships and decision-making.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
24 August 2016 | 0 min watch
By clicking to watch this video, you agree to our privacy policy.

Brain’s social ‘river’ carries clues about autism

Researchers are homing in on the superior temporal sulcus, a groove in the brain that collects social information, as a key player in autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
29 February 2016 | 1 min watch

Explore more from The Transmitter

Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows

The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.

By Calli McMurray
6 September 2024 | 5 min read
Capitol building
Spectrum Microphone

In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope

The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.

By Rachel Zamzow
5 September 2024 | 5 min listen
Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.

Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects

The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.

By Olivia Gieger
4 September 2024 | 6 min read